Polytechnic Students Reject Disaccreditation Of Pharmaceutical Technology Course, Ask FG To Caution Minister

Students of Pharmaceutical Technology in Nigerian Polytechnics have opposed the decision by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and the Ministry of Education to scrap their course.

The students disclosed this in a statement issued by the coordinator Moshood Abiola Polytechnics campus Ogun State, Oguntola Sunday, describing the decision as wicked, arbitrary and undemocratic.

The students said the plan was aimed at taking education out of reach of the common man noting hat the decision did not only affect the those currently taking the courses but also students who had graduated from the department. 

The statement noted that the NBTE, the PCN and Federal Ministry of Education issued a memorandum of understanding stating that the course would no longer be in existence even students with certification of this course could not work in any health related sectors as related to the course of study.

In circular dated April 17, 2024,  read, “Today marked a significant milestone as the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signifying a collaborative effort towards resolving the issues pertaining the training of Pharmaceutical Technologists in polytechnics and other institutions in Nigeria.

“The signing ceremony took place at the Headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education, underscoring the commitment of all parties involved.

“The signing ceremony was chaired by the Minister of State for Education, Dr Tanko Sununu. The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education and other directors in the ministry witnessed the event.

“By this MoU, the two parties have agreed to accredit and train only National Diploma in Pharmacy technicians. The Executive Secretary, NBTE and the Registrar/CEO, PCN appreciated the leadership of the federal Ministry of Education for facilitating and resolving the 22- year-old issue. The feat achieved is the hallmark of the renewed hope agenda of the current administration of the nation being steered by the focused leadership at the Federal Ministries of Health and Education.”

Meanwhile, the students had given the relevant authorities 48 hours ultimatum to reverse the decision or risk mass action.

“We reject the unjust discrimination and disaccreditation of pharmaceutical Technology as courses of study in Nigerian polytechnics by the Federal Ministry of Education, NBTE and PCN.

“We want to by this press issue a 48hours ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu to call to order his Minister of Education not by any means render our certificate useless else we take to the streets to speak to them in the only language they understand as we won’t allow five years of our journey in life be wasted by one uneducated minister of education,” Oguntola added.

Over a thousand students of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic were affected.

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